Haunted house employee shot dead by frightened guest who thought gun was fake
A frightened guest who shot a South Carolina haunted house employee on Saturday and later told police he thought the gun was a prop has since been charged in the incident.
The shooting happened in Myrtle Beach. The Myrtle Beach Police Department posted on Facebook Wednesday morning and said one person, Keal Latrell Brown, has been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor in connection with the shooting.
Brown could face additional charges, but police did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s requests for comment.
The incident happened at the Outbreak – Dread the Undead attraction at the Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center, a company spokesperson said.
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In the Facebook post, police said they spoke to the victim, witnesses and Brown in addition to reviewing CCTV of the incident.
They said Brown entered the haunted house with other people and several people in the group were scared of the victim, who worked at the zombie attraction. One person in the group fell to the ground and a gun slid back and “hit Brown in the foot,” police said.
Police say Brown told them he thought the gun was a prop when he picked it up and fired twice, hitting the employee once in the shoulder.
The reason for the misdemeanor charge, according to police, is that Brown knowingly gave the gun to a minor.
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The company that runs the attraction said it had no comment on the shooting.
“Our attractions, like many others in beautiful Myrtle Beach, are here for visitors to enjoy and make fun memories,” the spokesperson wrote in an email to USA TODAY. “That’s what drives us, and we will continue to be delighted to welcome our guests as we recover from this unfortunate experience.”
USA Today
